Critical care medicine
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Critical care medicine · Jan 2014
Observational StudyTreatment With Neuromuscular Blocking Agents and the Risk of In-Hospital Mortality Among Mechanically Ventilated Patients With Severe Sepsis.
Recent trials suggest that treatment with neuromuscular blocking agents may improve survival in patients requiring mechanical ventilation for acute respiratory distress syndrome. We examined the association between receipt of a neuromuscular blocking agent and in-hospital mortality among mechanically ventilated patients with severe sepsis. ⋯ Among mechanically ventilated patients with severe sepsis and respiratory infection, early treatment with a neuromuscular blocking agent is associated with lower in-hospital mortality.
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Critical care medicine · Jan 2014
The Role of Potentially Preventable Hospital Exposures in the Development of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Population-Based Study.
Acute respiratory distress syndrome is a common complication of critical illness, with high mortality and limited treatment options. Preliminary studies suggest that potentially preventable hospital exposures contribute to acute respiratory distress syndrome development. We aimed to determine the association between specific hospital exposures and the rate of acute respiratory distress syndrome development among at-risk patients. ⋯ Prevention of adverse hospital exposures in at-risk patients may limit the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome.
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Critical care medicine · Jan 2014
Observational StudyDelayed Medical Emergency Team Calls and Associated Outcomes.
To determine whether there was an association between delayed medical emergency team calls and mortality after a medical emergency team review. ⋯ Delayed medical emergency team calls are common and are independently associated with higher mortality. This result reaffirms the concept and need for a rapid response system.
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Critical care medicine · Jan 2014
Preliminary Report on Cardiac Dysfunction After Isolated Traumatic Brain Injury.
The aim of this study was to examine cardiac dysfunction during the first 2 weeks after isolated traumatic brain injury and its association with in-hospital mortality. ⋯ Cardiac dysfunction in the setting of isolated traumatic brain injury occurs and is associated with increased in-hospital mortality. This finding raises the question as to whether there are uncharted opportunities for a more timely recognition of cardiac dysfunction and subsequent optimization of the hemodynamic management of these patients.
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Critical care medicine · Jan 2014
Risk of Developing Pneumonia Is Enhanced by the Combined Traits of Fluoroquinolone Resistance and Type III Secretion Virulence in Respiratory Isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
To determine the differential association of host characteristics, antimicrobial resistance, and type III secretion system virulence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates with respiratory syndromes in hospitalized adult patients. ⋯ These results suggest that fluoroquinolone-resistant phenotype in a type III secretion system exoU strain background contributes toward the pathogenesis of P. aeruginosa in pneumonia.